In the height of the splendor of Ancient Egypt, Ramses II consolidated his power not only through military conquests but also through shrewd political alliances. One of the most important was his marriage to a princess of the Hittite empire, an agreement that helped stabilize relations after years of conflict.
The pharaoh, who had been ruling for three decades, celebrated his Heb Sed jubilee in the newly built capital of Pi-Ramses. In that context, he decided to strengthen ties with the Hittites, whom he had faced in the famous Battle of Kadesh in 1275 BC. Although Ramses presented that battle as a great victory, records show that the outcome was more balanced than he proclaimed.
This wedding was not a simple romantic event, but a strategic move to seal the peace treaty signed nine years earlier by Hattusilis III. The pharaoh specifically demanded the eldest daughter of the Hittite king, rejecting any other option.
The negotiations extended over months and were recorded on clay tablets found in Hattusa. Queen Puduhepa, wife of Hattusilis, was primarily responsible for organizing the dowry and preparations.
The Complicated Diplomatic Negotiations
The Egyptian envoys complained several times about the delays and the size of the promised dowry. Puduhepa responded firmly, blaming a fire in the warehouses and scarcity. In a letter addressed to Ramses, whom she called "brother," she reproached him for his greed: “Does my brother not have possessions? But brother, you are enriching yourself at my expense!”.
However, the Hittite queen assured that the dowry would be impressive, even greater than that of the king of Babylon, and would include gold, silver, livestock, horses, and servants. The main Hittite condition was that the princess would become the chief wife of the pharaoh, not a secondary consort.
Ramses accepted that demand but rejected any idea of sending an Egyptian princess in return. The pharaohs maintained this tradition to demonstrate superiority, despite treating each other as equals in diplomatic correspondence.
Finally, the princess departed for Egypt with a large entourage. Upon receiving the news in Pi-Ramses, Ramses expressed his joy: “The sun god, the storm god, the gods of Egypt and the gods of the land of the Hittites have decreed that our two great countries unite forever.”
The Arrival and the Princess's New Role
The wedding included a ritual where they anointed the princess's head with fine oil. She adopted the Egyptian name Maathorneferure and received the status of Great Royal Wife. This marriage not only strengthened peace but also opened a period of prosperity and cultural exchange between both empires.
These dynastic marriages were common at the time, but the Egyptians always maintained a dominant position by not sending their own daughters abroad. The Hittite princess arrived accompanied by hundreds of people, similar to what had occurred in previous unions with other kingdoms.
The union represented a diplomatic triumph for Ramses II, who already had several foreign wives but granted this one a prominent place. The monuments and records of the time reflect how the pharaoh used these events to project power and stability.
Thanks to this agreement, hostilities between Egypt and the Hittite empire notably decreased, allowing both kingdoms to focus on their internal development during a time of relative calm in the region.
